On Wednesday 13th March 2024 London Fire Brigade revealed that it has completed all of the 29 recommendations aimed at it from Phase One of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The Grenfell Tower fire resulted in the loss of 72 lives. Poor equipment, inadequate means of communication and a lack of knowledge of the building hampered firefighters efforts to rescue people.
The recommendations have seen a change in the way firefighters are trained and how major incidents are managed. Innovative technology to fight fires has been introduced as has specialist equipment. The LFBs entire fleet of high-reach vehicles have been replaced and new 64m turntable ladders have been introduced - the tallest ladders in service across Europe.
LFB said that new ground radios have been issued that allow firefighters wearing helmets and breathing apparatus sets to communicate more effectively with their team and entry control officers when inside buildings. Drones have been introduced which can transmit live information to assist in how a fire is fought or used as a means of communicating with people or providing light when needed.
Andy Roe, commissioner of the LFB, said: “We owe it to the bereaved families, the survivors, the residents of Grenfell Tower and Londoners to change and improve.”
“We accepted every recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and have been working hard over the past five years to implement significant changes to the way we operate.
“We are the only organisation to have completed every recommendation directed specifically to them and I am proud of the work that staff have put into this, but I also know that there is still much more to do.
“Fundamental change in large, complex organisations takes time and while our transformation programme is safely on track, we are not finished.
“I’m dedicated to continuing this journey with full commitment so that we can continue to be trusted to serve and protect our capital.”